While looking at tickets available when the Great British Rail Sale went live, tickets from Leeds to Carlisle were available for £1.50 each way. Blog includes pubs in Carlisle and a trip down to Penrith.
Firstly was the train from Leeds to Carlisle. Some beautiful scenery on the 2 and a half hour journey up. A trolley service is provided by the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust. Some great locally produced snacks along with beer from Settle Brewery. More information here.
The Griffin
First stop after leaving the train station was “The Griffin”, an old bank which has been converted into a large city centre pub. Owned by Greene King but serves local ale aswell as their own.
A choice of 2 Carlisle Brewing Company ales on the bar here. Flaxen and Citadel. Decided to try the Citadel as I had the other last time I was in Carlisle. A really light and refreshing blonde ale.
Lakeland Ales
Next for a walk down the main high street and a call into Lakeland Ales, a great shop packed full of local ales from both Cumbria and The Lake District (along with various gins, vodkas, rums and of course Kendal Mint Cake Liquor). Always worth a drop into here for a bottle to enjoy on the journey home. Website can be found here.
The Kings Head
Just around the corner was The Kings Head, a great city centre pub which has won many CAMRA Awards. Lots of photos of Old Carlisle around the pub, along with information about why Carlisle wasnt included in the Domesday Book.
Great to see some local ales available here, we tried all 3 of them in fact. Fox Pale by Keswick Brewing Company alongside Estwaite Bitter and Langdale both from Cumbrian Ales.
Thin White Duke
A popular city centre pub just around the corner from the train station, serving food alongside its drink selection. Its former guise as the Friars Tavern was the last ‘male only’ pub in Carlisle.
Two real ale handpumps available here, one from Hawkshead Brewery and one from Cumbrian Ales. Chose to go with Hawkshead – Mosaic, a delicious 4% Pale Ale.
301 Miles from London
Next onto the bar on the train station, aptly named 301 Miles from London (although the actual distance is thought to be 299 miles). Situated on Platform 4, the high-arched Grade II listed building has served a number of purposes including being the Station Buffet in the 1950s and features much of the fabric of the old building and other railway heritage with the original stone fireplaces.
A good choice of 3 real ales and 2 real ciders available on the bar today. Decided on Bowland Gold from Bowland Brewery based in Clitheroe. A great tasting golden ale and drunk in lovely surroundings which had been excellently restored.
Next was to get on the Avanti West Coast train to head down to Penrith North Lakes. A quick 13 minute journey on the train from Carlisle.
Dockray Hall
After a quick 6 minute walk downhill from Penrith North Lakes station, the first pub to visit was Dockray Hall. A Grade 1 Listed 16th Century Inn which still has lots of its original features. King Richard III is even known to have stayed during his exploits in the area.
Two real ales available here (with a third coming soon), from Tirril Brewery and Cumbrian Ales. Went with Borrowdale Bitter from Tirril Brewery who are based in Long Marton, Cumbria. Nice refreshing bitter.
Fell Bar
Around the corner from Dockray Hall is Fell Bar, owned and run by Fell Brewery who are based in Flookburgh, Cumbria. The building was converted into a pub split over 3 floors, and opened in 2012.
A great selection of their own beers, alongside guests both on cask and keg. Too much choice here so went with a couple. Fell – Ghyll (a Ghyll is a narrow mountain stream), Fell – Rhubarb Tart and The Kernel – Sour Cherry. All were excellent.
The Board & Elbow
A large corner pub in the main town centre, with outdoor seating next to the towns bandstand. Pretty busy and popular pub, also serving food.
Two cask ales available here, Great Corby Brewhouse – Blonde and Doom Bar. Went for the Great Corby Brewhouse – Blonde, which is brewed in Great Corby, just outside Wetheral.
Agricultural Hotel
A walk back up the hill to the Railway Station and a stop off the the Agricultural Hotel. The hotel itself is built from local sandstone, and has a Victorian shuttered bar of sash screens with six handpumps on entry.
4 cask ales available today from Oakham Brewery, Windermere Brewery, Cumbrian Ales and Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery. Went with Bad Dog IPA – Windermere Brewery. This beer is brewed at The Watermill Inn, Ings.
Great view from the outside beer garden at the front of the pub of Penrith Castle. The Castle begun at the end of the 14th century by Ralph Neville, who played a key role in defending the area against the Scots.
A quick walk back to the railway station next to get the train back up to Carlisle. Great humour on the station with the Weather Forecasting Stone on the platform while we were awaiting the train.
Brewdog Carlisle
Last call of the day into Brewdog in Carlisle, situated around the corner from the railway station between the two wetherspoon pubs.
As always a great choice of different styles of beers including their own beers alongside guests. 4 different sour beers on here so managed to try all 4 of them.
Just to head back to the railway station now for the train back to Leeds, a lovely journey back with great scenery and the sun going down.
Micropub Adventures 